Stars share their sexual harassment and assault experiences with the 'Me Too' campaign

Along with her account of Franken's unwanted advance, Tweeden shared a photo of the politician placing his hands over her breasts while she appears to be asleep on an airplane.

Tweeden, her eyes closed, is wearing a military-style helmet and flak jacket in the photo as Franken smiles at the camera and holds his hands over Tweeden's chest.

"I couldn't believe it. He groped me, without my consent, while I was asleep," she wrote. "I felt violated all over again. Embarrassed. Belittled. Humiliated."

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At the time of the tour, Franken, known for his "SNL" character Stuart Smalley, was not yet a senator. He was elected in 2008 and took office in 2009.

Leeann Tweeden did not call for Franken to step down, saying "not my place to say that." (Mark Davis/Getty Images for Sports Spectacu)

Franken apologized in a terse reponse Thursday before issuing a lengthy statement that invited an ethics probe — joining Senate leaders from both sides of the aisle.

"I respect women. I don't respect men who don't. And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed," he said.

Tweeden said she accepted the lawmaker's apology and isn't calling for Franken to step down — unless other women come forward.

"People make mistakes and of course he knew he made a mistake," Tweeden said at a press conference Thursday afternoon. "So yes, I do accept that apology. There's no reason why I shouldn't accept his apology."

Tweeden said it is up to Congress to decide if an ethics investigation into Franken's behavior should move forward.

In addition to calling for an ethics probe, several of Franken's fellow Democrats vowed to give campaign donations from the former funnyman's political action committee to charity.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said her campaign will give $30,000 to a local charity and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) promised to give $12,500 to Protect Our Defenders, which combats sexual assault in the military.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called Franken's behavior "unacceptable and deeply disappointing." Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the accusations are "troubling," adding that "sexual harassment is never acceptable and must not be tolerated."

The quick condemnation by Dems came as Republicans have struggled with allegations against Roy Moore, the GOP Senate candidate from Alabama accused of pursuing relationships or sexually assaulting teenage girls while he was a prosecutor in his 30s.